Administrators are getting changed from position to position, running all over trying to keep this school running. Health and Physical Education (HPE) teacher Dave Arthur now has to stop teaching PE and become the acting Director of Student Services. From throwing basketballs to throwing files and a computer, here is how different staff members are adjusting to the new changes.
The first domino
On Oct.16, principal Ann Bonitatibus emailed parents and posted a Schoology announcement about administration changes. Effective immediately, Shawn Frank’s acceptance of a new position as Assistant Principal of Mountain View High School initiates these administrative changes. Because Frank is leaving, the administration lineup needs to change.
With Frank’s departure, Jefferson’s administration is forced to make a shift in its lineup. Director of Student Services Dylan Forshay will serve as the new acting Assistant Principal supervising the World Language, Arts, Music, and the Physical education department (WLAMPE). He will also become the new grade level administration for the freshman Class of 2028. With Forshay’s shift, Health and Physical Education teacher Arthur will take his spot, serving as the acting Director of Student Services. Current Assistant Principal Volita Russell will now become the new grade level administrator for the senior Class of 2025.
Administrator adjustment
Bonitatibus expressed her optimism for the administrative changes, wishing upon a smooth transition with no disruptions to students or teachers.
“Russell [has] led two classes through their senior year,” Bontitatibus said in an email. “[She] is well-positioned to handle the unique opportunities and celebrations that come with the final year of high school.”
Arthur is having a hard time adjusting to new norms, having to communicate with students of all ages and grades as opposed to his previous set of fixed students.
“It’s a very big change,” Arthur said. “What I’m doing [now] is taking me out of having my own set of students, to having contact with a variety of students of all ages [and] grades.”
The biggest adjustment is the lack of flexibility compared to their previous positions.
“I would always tell my students that I had the best job ever because I get to be outside with them and enjoy the weather,” Arthur said. “Now, I’m stuck in the office at a computer.”
Russell is used to managing different classes at the same time. In previous years, Russell managed the freshman and senior classes at the same time. Russell is also used to managing senior classes and the important events that come with the final year of high school.
“It was an easy transition because I just finished with [last year’s] seniors, plus, I [know this] class pretty well, since they’ve been here all four years,” Russell said. “Even though I didn’t work directly with them [before], I have a good rapport with them.”
Russell wants to help seniors enjoy their final year of high school at Jefferson with no hiccups.
“I just want to support them because it’s [an] important year for them, and I want to make sure that they get what they want out of this year,” Russell said. “[We] don’t want to shorten or dampen their senior year because they have a switch [in] administrators.”
The head departs
On Oct. 22, approximately a week after the announcement of administration changes, Bonitatibus sent out a school-wide announcement declaring her resignation from her position as principal of Jefferson, and her acceptance to a new role as the Executive Director of Talent Acquisition and Management in the FCPS Department of Human Resources. Bonitatibus has been serving the Jefferson community as its principal since 2017.
“I am grateful to our entire [Jefferson] family for your partnership and support over the years,” Bontitatibus said over her email “[Jefferson] students especially have been a constant source of inspiration to me. We have all shared an unwavering commitment to educational excellence, I consider my time with you a privilege and an honor. I am confident FCPS leadership will appoint a new principal that will bring [Jefferson] to the next level of greatness.”
With Forshay becoming the administrator for the Class of 2028 and Russell becoming the administrator for the Class of 2025, Bonitatibus is sure that the new administration can exceptionally serve the Jefferson community.
“We enjoy a strong administrative team that is deeply committed to exceptionally serving the [Jefferson] community,” Bonitatibus said. “Please join me in welcoming our professionals to their new roles.”
Bonitatibus reflected on her achievements as principal, especially her integration of the new admissions policy.
“We’re definitely a more inclusive, welcoming and joyous community,” Bonitatibus said. “I’m very, very proud of that. The change in admissions happened, and I led through it. This year is the first year that all the students here are under a new [Jefferson] admissions policy.”
The new admissions policy is only one aspect of Jefferson that has undergone reform. An essential part of Jefferson is to be innovative and adaptive to uphold the example the school set for others, something the next administration must keep in mind, Bonitatibus said.
“One thing that I have believed all along is that we’re an exceptional school, and many people look to us and emulate us,” Bonitatibus said. “Often they’re able to take [our] ideas, make them their own and then even improve upon them. That means that [Jefferson] must be in a constant state of innovation and improvement, so that way we can continue to be the leader, and not just a school that others emulate and then exceed or come up with new ideas while we’re continuing to do what has worked for us for a very long time.”